IndyCar hopeful Martin Plowman has succeeded in his mission to raise money for armed forces charities Wounded Warriors and Help for Heroes, exceeding his fundraising target with a current total of $11,190.27.

Championship leader Ryan Briscoe and Sheffield’s Justin Wilson will start on the front row at Mid-Ohio as the IRL attempts to follow last weekend’s thriller in Kentucky by proving it can also serve up an entertaining road-course race.

Justin Wilson came agonisingly close to scoring one of the all-time great underdog victories in the IndyCar season opener at St Petersburg, dominating much of the race but losing the lead at a late restart.